The Question of'' Tawassul' in Du'aa

Question: Is it permissible to make du'aa using the Ambiyaa >~- ;)--- or the Auliyaa as
a mediums? Is it permissible to say in one's du'aa, "By the Haqq (right) of such a
person" or "By the sacredness of such a person"?

Answer: It is both permissible and Masnoon to use a medium when making du'aa by
saying things such as, "O Allaah! Have mercy on my situation through the medium of
such-and-such a Nabi or saint". This is a very effective manner of having du'aas
accepted. In fact, Tirmidhi and other books of Ahadeeth report that Rasulullaah
actually taught a Sahabi to make du'aa in this manner. Rasulullaah taught him to
make du'aa saying: "O Allaah! I ask You and turn towards You by the medium of
Muhammad who is Your Nabi of mercy."
1


A narration of Mishkaat states that it was the practice of Hadhrat Umar that
whenever there was a drought, he would pray for rain using the medium of Hadhrat
Abbaas . He would say, "O Allaah! We used to use the medium of Your Nabi to
pray to You and You would send us rain. We are now asking You through the
medium of the uncle of our Nabi , so please send rain to us." Rain would then come
showering down
2
.

Our elders have always favoured such du'aas with mediums. Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf
Ali Thanwi = -= writes: "Amongst the people of Tasawwuf, making du'aa through the
medium of Allaah's chosen servants is very popular. This is substantiated by the
Ahadeeth. A narration in Mishkaat from Hadhrat Umayyah states that on the
occasion of the conquest of Makkah, Rasulullaah made du'aa using the medium of
the poor Muhaajireen."
3


He also writes: "It is quite in order to make du'aa through the medium of Allaah's
accepted servants, whether they be alive or deceased. The Ahadeeth report the
incident of Hadhrat Umar using the medium of Hadhrat Abbaas when making
du'aa for rain and also reported is the incident of the blind person making du'aa
using the medium of Rasulullaah . There is therefore no doubt about the
permissibility of this."
4


Sheikhul Islaam Hadhrat Moulana Madani = -= writes: "Using the medium of
Rasulullaah (when making du'aa) was not confined to the period when he was alive
but can be made even while he is in the realm of Barzakh (in the grave). Reaching
the true Beloved (Allaah) and pleasing Him can be done only through the medium of
Rasulullaah ."
5


A medium is really Allaah's mercy that He blesses His chosen servants with.
Therefore, when someone makes du'aa through the medium of a saint, it is this
special mercy that Allaah blesses them with that is actually regarded as the medium
(the vehicle to carry the supplication). Using a medium is not permissible when
a being other than Allaah (the medium) is regarded as being the one

1
Tirmidhi (Vol.2 Pg.197), Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.219), Hisnul Haseen Pg.151, Ibn Maajah (Pg.100).
2
Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.132), reporting from Bukhaari.
3
Takashuf Pg. 446.
4
Imdaadul Fataawaa (Vol.4 Pg.326).
5
Maktoobaat Sheikhul Islaam (Pgs.129,130).
rendering the assistance that is sought. It is wrong to believe that the
medium will fulfil the need.

It is correct to use phrases such as "By the intervention of such a person", "By the
sacredness of such a person" or "By the status of such a person". While it is also
permissible to say, "By the Haqq (right) of such a person", some scholars disagree,
citing the Hadith "The creation cannot be given a Haqq (right) over that of Allaah's
right". This argument is however unsound.

Rasulullaah has also stated that when leaving his home for salaah, a person's du'aa
is accepted when he says, "O Allaah! I am asking you for the reward of this salaah
by the right that all begging from You have."

Hadhrat Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith Dehlawi = -= quotes a narration from Hadhrat
Umar as reported by Tabraani in his Mu'jamus Sagheer, Haakim, Abu Nu'aym and
Bayhaqi. The narration from Rasulullaah states that when Hadhrat Aadam erred,
he repented using Rasulullaah as a medium. He said, "O Allaah! I beg You by the
Haqq of Muhammad to forgive me." Allaah then forgave him.
6


Hadhrat Imaam Rabbaani Mujaddid Alf Thaani = -= used to make du'aa saying, "O
Allaah! By the Haqq of the Nabi of Faatima ')-- = ~ do I ask You to give me death with
Imaan. Whether you accept or reject my du'aa, I am satisfied with clinging to the
hem of the family of Muhammadur Rasulullaah ."
7


And Allaah knows best what is most correct.



6
Fat'hul Azeez Pg. 183.
7
Maktoobaat (Vol.2 Pg.64).